---
title: Setup and Prerequisites
description: 'Everything you need to get started with Latitude'
---

Before you can start using Latitude, there are a few things you need to set up. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.

## Sign Up for Latitude

You have two options for using Latitude:

### Option 1: Latitude Cloud (Managed Service)

1. Visit [latitude.so](https://latitude.so) and click "Sign Up"
2. Create an account using:
   - Email and password
   - Google SSO
   - GitHub SSO
3. Verify your email address
4. Log in to your new Latitude account

### Option 2: Self-Hosted Instance

If you prefer to host Latitude on your own infrastructure:

1. Follow our [self-hosted development](/guides/self-hosted/development) or [production](/guides/self-hosted/production) guides
2. Set up your instance with the required dependencies
3. Create your admin account during the setup process

## Connect to AI Providers

Latitude works with various AI providers. You'll need API access to at least one provider:

### Supported Providers

- **OpenAI**: [Get API keys](https://platform.openai.com/account/api-keys)
- **Anthropic**: [Get API keys](https://console.anthropic.com/account/keys)
- **Google AI**: [Set up credentials](https://ai.google.dev/tutorials/setup)
- **Azure OpenAI**: [Set up Azure OpenAI Service](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/ai-services/openai/how-to/create-resource)
- **Other providers**: See our [Providers guide](/guides/getting-started/providers) for a complete list

### Adding a Provider in Latitude

1. In your Latitude account, go to "Settings" > "Providers"
2. Click "Add Provider"
3. Select your provider
4. Enter your API key and other required configuration
5. Test the connection
6. Click "Save"

## Environment Setup for Developers

If you're a developer planning to use Latitude SDKs:

### For JavaScript/TypeScript Development

1. Ensure you have Node.js (16 or higher) installed
2. Have a package manager (npm, yarn, or pnpm) available
3. Install the Latitude SDK:
   ```bash
   npm install @latitude-data/sdk
   ```

### For Python Development

1. Ensure you have Python (3.9 or higher) installed
2. Set up a virtual environment (recommended):
   ```bash
   python -m venv .venv
   source .venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate
   ```
3. Have a package manager (pip, poetry, or uv) available
4. Install the Latitude SDK:
   ```bash
   pip install latitude-sdk
   ```

## Create Your First Project

Once you have signed up and connected a provider:

1. From the Latitude dashboard, click "New Project"
2. Give your project a name and description
3. Select a default AI provider (can be changed later)
4. Click "Create Project"

Your new project will be set up with default settings appropriate for your selected provider.

## Invite Your Team (Optional)

Latitude is designed for team collaboration. To invite team members:

1. Go to "Settings" > "Team Members"
2. Click "Invite Member"
3. Enter their email address and select their role:
   - **Admin**: Full access to all features and settings
   - **Member**: Can create and edit prompts, run evaluations, but cannot change settings
   - **Viewer**: Can view prompts and logs but cannot make changes
4. Click "Send Invite"

Invited users will receive an email with instructions to join your Latitude workspace.

## Next Steps

Now that you're set up, choose your path to get started:

- [Quick Start for Product Managers](/guides/getting-started/quick-start-pm) (No-Code)
- [Quick Start for AI Engineers](/guides/getting-started/quick-start-dev) (Coding)
- [Core Concepts](/guides/getting-started/core-concepts) (Glossary)
